Women leadership

As President Obama delivered his fifth State of the Union address this past week, he may have had more female peers watching this time than any president in U.S. history. In fact, female heads of state are more common now than ever before -- the number has quadrupled since 1960 when Sri Lanka's Sirimavo Bandaranaike became the first elected female head of state in the modern world.

The talks in Syria began today, with the Syrian government and opposition exchanging accusations and invectives. Missing was the voice of nonviolent civilians, especially women, even through they have been trying for months to have a seat at the table. "When we talk about women at the table, the men see them as the tablecloth," said Hibaaq Osman, an NGO leader who has been working with Syrian women and pushing for their inclusion. "The future of Syria should not exclusively be decided by those who carry guns."

Oxfam calls for increased participation of women and civil society organizations in peace process

The Geneva II Conference, which opens today, must deliver real change in the lives of ordinary Syrians, says the worldwide development organization Oxfam.

Helen Clark, New Zealand's Prime Minister for nine years, developed a reputation for being "no-nonsense" and "strong" at the top, something she shares in common with Britain's only female PM Margaret Thatcher. She gives Louisa Peacock a masterclass on how women can survive the cut throat world of politics

Egyptians were voting in a referendum on the country’s draft constitution on Tuesday and Wednesday, a document that would enshrine unprecedented gender equality for women.

Since the so-called Arab Spring shook Egypt and the region to its foundations in 2010, the roles and rights of women in the Middle East’s most populous country have been under the spotlight.  

The presidential deputy for women and family affairs says Iranian women are mostly excluded from top positions in the government. ILNA reports that Shahindokht Molaverdi said in a report that except for a few women in Parliament, the unfortunate truth is there are no women in top posts.

A PN MEP candidate has called for more female candidates for the European Parliament elections. Kevin Plumpton, President of the PN’s youth wing and a former Zabbar councilor, wrote on Facebook that the PN has “very valid candidates” and hoped that this team will help the PN obtain the third seat it deserves in Brussels.

But he adds that it could be the case that there are too many men and “the challenge remains to involve more women in politics. Together we will get there.”